IW R4: Murray vs Berlocq

I watched the repeat of the match, although I did catch the first few games live last night. I would have liked to have stayed awake to be honest, but couldn't because I had to be awake very early.

I'd really only heard of Berlocq's name before. I don't really recall seeing him play. However, the thing that stood out for me was that the comms seemed really surprised by how well he played, they suggested that it had caught Andy off guard, which made sense. I suppose it isn't easy when you've never played someone before and you know they are considered to be a clay courter too.

Berlocq's grunting was annoying, and it did seem that he was doing it to be annoying. I know he complained about Andy taking too long between points, but I have to say that didn't seem to be the case to me. I think Berlocq was taking the wee-wee to some extent.

All in all I don't think Andy played too badly. The conditions didn't seem to be to his liking, the awkward shadows and such, and I don't think much love was lost between him and Berlocq, but the fact is that Andy got the win, and in straight sets too, so that's good enough.

Yeah....however I think that Andy has had enough of some of the 'distraction' tactics of many players on the tour...he is having a go back at them more and more it seems. I also think that was 100% of Berlocq's game plan ...to do whatever he could to knock Andy out of his stride. I always think that the best way to deal with arrogance is to dish it right back at em x 2....but hey Im a fellow scot so maybe just inherent psyche

Was a weird match in terms of the lack of quality play... which the stats kinda contradict. Shows the lack of value stats have I guess.It seemed like a battle of will out on the court ...so in that sense I found it an interesting contest.

I did think that and his game was also very physical which actually allowed him to grunt as loudly as possible. Andy of course did it to show Berlocq that he too was in a position to complain but more importantly, he wasn't intimidated by him. Why should he?

I’ve seen Berlocq a few times before and I don’t remember seeing him so deliberately competitive. I guess he was really keen on pulling an upset since Andy had left a history here by exiting really early a couple of times. Nonetheless, I was very disappointed in Berlocq. He could have just left a decent impression against the World No. 3 instead he decided to go the dubious way.

Annoyed at some people having a dig at Andy just because he was complaining about Berlocq's grunting. I mean you could hear his grunting from China it was that loud. It was ridiculous.

There is immense irony that some people like to whine, sit in judgement and cast aspersions about another person making a legitimate complaint. Berlocq's really very annoying and intrusive grunting was probably gamesmanship, and if not, it was disruptive, and everyone else gets to complain if something interferes with our ability to do our jobs properly.

It has obviously riled Andy for a bit, and perhaps most days he'd have let it slip, but the complaint about his time-keeping came across as petty, and probably also gamesmanship, so why not react? I know there is a case for letting these things slide, but sometimes it's better to say something back. It seems to have taken a lot of people by surprise.

For some, it's an excuse to have a go at Andy, but for others, it's given them the excuse to say just how annoying they think grunting is too, and about time someone said something about it in the men's game.

Interestingly, Federer was asked about grunting after his match, and he admitted he found it annoying too if it's too loud, and especially not even. Basically, agreeing with Andy's concerns. You can be sure that some people who called Andy a whiner will be praising Fed for his wise words. Not that I blame Fed for that, and it's good that he is backing up what Andy said - even if the hard of thinking won't notice.

I don't think Berlocq's grunting was that bad to be honest. All I saw in that was Berlocq getting annoyed at losing a cheap point and petulantly moaning about the time between points. Then after Murray lost the game he petulantly moaned about Berlocq grunting (though was really just annoyed at Berlocq moaning in the first place).

You could say Berlocq started it, but really there was nothing in either incident. Certainly the umpire shouldn't have stepped in at any point.

I think it's a good thing Andy complained about too much noise. About time someone did. Don't understand why more of the women players don't, but guess they are intimidated as the worst offenders are at the top of the game - Sharapova, Azarenka, Williams. ALmost impossible to watch Sharapove play with the endless time to serve and the totally unnecessary shrieking.

Murray's serve was horrific at times. A really poor match in general tbh.

hey jk has boogers appointed you his understudy when he's not posting? admittedly I've not watched the full match yet but have watched the one hour version Sky showed yesterday and I certainly didn't think Andy was playing defensively for most part [as you argued in an earlier post]. I liked the way he was coming forward to the net more and he was certainly taking the ball early at times [not all the time of course]. It seemed to my inexpert eyes more that he wasn't executing nearly as well as he's capable of, which suggests he hasn't quite found his rhythm or got a feel of the courts. Let's hope that having been pushed by 3 much lower ranked players, he will now be ready to play the game he is capable of against one of those hunting him from within the top 10.

The comms. on Sharapova match also said the grunting must be stopped especially if it is appearing in the men's game. I thought the grunting was too much. They all give a little grunt now and again but I have never heard any male player make such a dreadful noise.